World record for Lucan Hanover in BC elims

Lucan Hanover ($7.80) and driver David Miller were parked first-over from the backstretch and were able to grind it out against pacesetter Sunshine Beach and win his $25,000 division of the Breeders Crown eliminations for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings and in the process set a world record.

Covering the one mile race in 1:48, Lucan Hanover rewrote the world mark for three-year-old geldings on a five-eighth mile track, surpassing the 1:48.3 record that was formerly held by three horses, Beach Memories, Vegas Vacation and Ultimate Beachboy.

It was Fool Me Once (Brian Sears) who was first on the lead but that was short lived as John Campbell sent the 2/5 favorite, Sunshine Beach right to the front at the opening quarter mile in a speedy :26. They spread out the field as they passed the half mile marker in :53.4.

It was then in the backstretch that Dave Miller came first-over with Lucan Hanover and Apprentice Hanover (Andy Miller) followed third cover second-over. Past the three-quarters in 1:21, Sunshine Beach was still in control but Lucan Hanover was not going away. Then in the stretch drive, Lucan Hanover was able to collar and then pass by Sunshine Beach before the finish to win by a half length. Captive Audience (Randy Waples) was third with Apprentice Hanover fourth to also make the $500,000 final next week.

“I was able to sit in until the 5/8th until I moved him,” Miller said. “There was a head number on the track and John’s horse skipped over it and that gave me a little more time. He raced gigantic and I think he will be all right next week.”

It was a lifetime mark and the eight win this year for Lucan Hanover. The gelded son of Western Ideal is trained by Casie Coleman and is owned by the West Wins Stable and Christine Calhoun of Ontario.